Finished!

Soon after we moved to Zimbabwe back in 2001, food shortages became common (they are even more predominant now). A missionary friend who moved there about the same time as us said, “I’ve learned one thing here: ‘Finished, Madam.’” That is what the shop employees said to us whenever we asked if they had a certain item. “Oh, sorry, Madam. Finished!”

I remember walking down long aisles that once had been stacked high with flour, oil, and mealie meal. The shelves were empty. Everything was Finished.

Just before Jesus died, He said the same thing. “It is Finished!” (John 19:30)

What was finished? The debt to be paid. The ransom price to buy us from hell. The thing that stood between us and the ability to have fellowship with God—Finished!

So I walk the aisles of my past. The sin that once filled the shelves—evidence of my rebellion and proof of my guilt: GONE! Why? Because Jesus said so! He paid the price I should have paid. I deserve hell. I deserve to suffer the horrific death He did. But because He loves me so much, He took my place. He cancelled my debt.

Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Wow, Jesus. Thank You. Thank You! THANK YOU!!!

Isaiah 1:18
“‘Come, let us discuss this,’ says the LORD.
‘Though your sins are like scarlet,
they will be as white as snow;
though they are as red as crimson,
they will be like wool.”

This is a gift from God. We can’t do anything to add to it. We just receive His forgiveness. And our sins will be Finished, the debt cancelled, and the way for us to be in fellowship with Him will be wide open. Oh, if you’ve not received this gift, please open your heart right now and say “YES” to the One Who loves you enough to die for you!

Hands On

Jeremiah 18:6
“‘House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?’—this is the Lord’s declaration—‘Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, house of Israel.’”

Do you ever have times when you read the Bible and passages nearly jump off the page at you? It’s like the Lord is speaking them to you for the first time although you may have read those same words a dozen times before.

I love it when that happens, even if, like today, He’s letting me know some painful stuff is on the horizon. I’ve never known a refining process to be comfortable, but I’m always thankful for the “harvest of righteousness and peace” when it’s over.

v. 4,5 “But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do. The word of the Lord came to me: “House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?’”

I can envision the Lord squishing me, removing hard chunks, molding me. OUCH! Yet something about it comforts me so much. His hands are on me the whole time. He’s lovingly eliminating the things that inhibit me from a closer relationship with Him. Those things being purged are what stand between us. They also clog His flow of love through me to others. I’m glad to get rid of that stuff!

Psalm 139:5,6
“You have encircled me.
You have placed Your hand on me.
This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me.
It is lofty; I am unable to reach it.”

So here is my heart's plea:

Lord, please give me a willing spirit, yielded and unresistant to Your working in my life. Help me obey. Disintegrate all the pride, all the self-will, and all the junk that keeps me from living 100% surrendered to You. My life is not about me. It’s about YOU, loving YOU and extending Your love to others. There’s no other way I want to live.

Psalm 139:23,24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Test me and know my concerns.
See if there is any offensive way in me;
Lead me in the everlasting way.”

I believe Your Word, Lord. You won’t let go of me no matter what (v.10), and I take comfort in that. Hold onto me. Hold me. Never let me go. Keep Your hands on me as You mold me into the vessel You want me to be.